Etihad Airways Launches New Fully-Customisable Economy Experience

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways has unveiled a major Economy transformation programme starting with the cabin upgrade and refurbishment of 23 narrow-body Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. The retrofit programme, which includes new personalised wireless streaming entertainment to smartphone and tablet devices, is scheduled for completion in August this year. The airline is also introducing a new and improved Economy dining concept on all its flights as part of a wider programme of enhancements to its inflight catering.

Enhanced and
improved complimentary dining concept and new
‘Sweet or Salty’ food and beverage retail menu on all flights

Etihad introduced the new developments at Arabian
Travel Market, together with a new advertising campaign, ‘Go Your
Own Way’, using Fleetwood Mac’s anthemic classic as its soundtrack. As part of the
airline’s overall ‘Choose Well’ brand platform, the campaign will drive greater
awareness of Etihad’s commitment to providing its guests with greater control,
choice and value by personalising their travel experiences.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer,
Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad has always been a challenger brand, shaping
the future of travel as the market constantly changes. We are bringing the
leadership and innovation to Economy travel which we have long established in
our award-winning Business, First and The Residence cabins.

“As part of our ‘Choose Well’ promise, we are
empowering our guests with more control of their travel experiences, through
onboard digital transformation, improved choice and redesigned cabins and
products.

“As a leading full-service airline, Etihad is
adapting to meet the specific needs and requirements of all travellers,
providing more of what they really want to enjoy inflight. This not only
delivers greater choice and personalisation, it also ensures we continue to
provide a superior, commercially wise and sustainable service offering.”

Relax Your Own Way – Complete Narrow-body Cabin Upgrade

Etihad is progressively upgrading the Economy
cabins of its narrow-body fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. These are used
mainly on short-haul regional services, and further afield to 38 Etihad
gateways within five hours of flight from Abu Dhabi. The airline is installing
modern and refreshed cabins featuring ergonomic Extra-spatial Design seats by
UK based Acro, a world-leading innovator in aircraft seat manufacturing. The next-generation seats, which will maintain comfortable ‘living
space’ in the seat area, and provide increased knee room, are
cleverly designed around the guest’s digital devices with fast-charging USB
points and an adjustable phone and tablet holder.

The first stage of enhancements to the Economy experience began in 2017 with
new seating options such as Neighbour-Free Seats, Economy Space, and Preferred
Seats introduced on the wide-body fleet.

Guests on narrow-body
aircraft will be able to simply log on and connect via browser to wirelessly stream
more than 300 hours of free inflight entertainment through Etihad’s onboard
Panasonic eXW system directly to their own devices. To view a wider range of
exciting entertainment programming, including more Hollywood blockbusters,
international movies, and premium TV programming such as HBO and Universal
shows, guests can simply download the new E-BOX STREAM app prior to travel.

Inflight entertainment via personal seat back screens will remain
standard in the Economy cabins on the airline’s fleet of wide-body Airbus and
Boeing aircraft.

Dine Your Own Way – All new Economy
Dining Experience

Etihad has launched a redesigned and enhanced
complimentary dining concept on all its flights. On journeys of over three
hours, the main course of the core complimentary dining service is now a larger,
contemporary bistro-style meal which is higher in quality, with a focus on
fresh seasonal ingredients and more destination focused choices. A new curved triangular
base plate design reflects the heritage of Abu Dhabi and is made using recycled
materials. New cutlery is 85 per cent lighter, reducing aircraft weight and
fuel burn. Each year, the airline will also remove 27 million plastic lids, and
other containers, supporting its drive towards greater sustainability and to
reduce the use of single-use plastics by 80 per cent by 2022.

As
part of the new dining sequence, delicious dessert items will be served
separately with the after-meal coffee and tea service, reducing clutter on the
tray during the main meal. On shorter flights, dessert will be served with the
main meal.

In addition, the significantly expanded
‘Sweet or Salty’ retail menu complements the core dining service with offerings
including a Tapas box, hot dishes, and premium sweet and savoury snacks, all
available for purchase. The selection also includes exciting options for children.
The new retail service
will be enhanced by partnerships with leading brands such as Bateel, Starbucks, Thorntons, Cawston Press,
Heavenly, Perrier and Barebells.

Etihad is also
refreshing soft products including new blankets, pillows and headrest covers to
further enhance inflight comfort and ambience.